Edit filter log

'{{good article}} {{For|the children's catchphrase|Olly olly oxen free}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Oxenfree | image = Oxenfree.svg | alt = a stylized rendering of the word 'OXENFREE' in all caps, with a horizontal line bisecting the word. | caption = | developer = [[Night School Studio]] | publisher = Night School Studio | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] | platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[OS X]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[Linux]]|[[iOS]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]}} | released = {{collapsible list|title=January 15, 2016|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;background:transparent;text-align:left|'''Microsoft Windows''', '''OS X''', '''Xbox One'''{{Video game release|WW|January 15, 2016}}'''PlayStation 4'''{{Video game release|WW|May 31, 2016}}'''Linux'''{{Video game release|WW|June 1, 2016}}'''iOS'''{{Video game release|WW|March 16, 2017}}'''Android'''{{Video game release|WW|June 29, 2017}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 6, 2017}}}} | genre = [[Graphic adventure game|Graphic adventure]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | director = {{Unbulleted list|Adam Hines|Sean Krankel}} | designer = {{Unbulleted list|Adam Hines|Sean Krankel}} | programmer = Bryant Cannon | artist = Heather Gross | writer = Adam Hines | composer = [[scntfc]] }} '''''Oxenfree''''' is a [[Supernatural fiction|supernatural]] [[Mystery fiction|mystery]] [[Graphic adventure game|graphic adventure]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Night School Studio]]. The game was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]] and [[Xbox One]] in January 2016. [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Linux]] versions of the game released later in 2016 and [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[Nintendo Switch]] versions in 2017. In ''Oxenfree'', players assume the role of teenager Alex on a weekend trip to a local island. After seemingly supernatural events occur, Alex and her friends must unravel the secrets of the island. ''Oxenfree'' is developer Night School Studio's first game. Influenced by classic [[teen film]]s and [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] shows, the developers wanted to create a story-driven game without [[cutscenes]], allowing players to freely roam the environment. The game's visual presentation marries dark, organic, and analog elements with sharp, distorted, and digital ones. Musician [[scntfc]] composed the game's soundtrack, which features digital music production techniques alongside the use of vintage analog tape recorders and receivers. ''Oxenfree''{{'}}s release was accompanied by development documentaries, an [[alternate reality game]], and a collectors edition. The game received generally positive reviews on release. Critics generally praised the presentation and characters, although some reviewers were left wanting more. The game was nominated for multiple awards including "Best Narrative" at [[The Game Awards 2016]]. == Gameplay == [[File:Oxenfree_overworld.png|thumb|left|Alex (left) and [[non-player character]]s Jonas and Ren converse while Alex tunes the radio. The player has three possible dialogue options visible.|alt=Screenshot of the game. Three characters walk along a bridge path over a ravine in a wooded landscape.]] ''Oxenfree'' is a graphic adventure played from a [[2.5D#2.5D platform games|2.5D]] perspective, with three-dimensional characters navigating two-dimensional environments.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Donnelly, Joe|date=January 11, 2016|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/oxenfree-devs-collaborate-with-robert-kirkman-to-launch-web-series-and-film-based-on-game|title=Oxenfree devs collaborate with Robert Kirkman, to launch web series and film based on game|work=[[PCGamesN]]|publisher=Network N|accessdate=May 27, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117201642/https://www.pcgamesn.com/oxenfree-devs-collaborate-with-robert-kirkman-to-launch-web-series-and-film-based-on-game|archivedate=November 17, 2016}}</ref> The player controls Alex, a teenager visiting a local island with a group of friends.<ref name="ign-review"/> After accidentally unleashing a paranormal force on the island, Alex and company must figure out what the force is and how to stop it.<ref name="gamespot-review"/> ''Oxenfree''{{'}}s gameplay is built around the "[[walk and talk]]" mechanic: instead of dialogue occurring during cutscenes, [[speech bubbles]] appear over Alex's head giving the player a choice between two or three dialogue options. At the same time, Alex remains free to move around and navigate the game world.<ref name="ing-preview">{{cite web|author=Dyer, Mitch; Marty Sliva|date=May 7, 2015|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/07/oxenfree-the-emotional-adventure-game-you-need-to-know-about|title=OXENFREE: The Emotional Adventure Game You Need to Know About|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|accessdate=July 24, 2017|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616105759/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/07/oxenfree-the-emotional-adventure-game-you-need-to-know-about|archivedate=June 16, 2016}}</ref><ref name="metro-preview"/> Players can select dialogue options at any time during conversations, choosing to wait for other characters to finish, to interrupt, or to remain silent. Certain dialogue options cause a thought bubble with Alex inside it to appear over characters' heads, suggesting that the player's choice had an effect on the characters' relationship.<ref name="metro-preview">{{cite web|author=Jenkins, David|date=January 19, 2016|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/19/oxenfree-xbox-one-review-turn-the-radio-on-5631834/|title=Oxenfree game review|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|publisher=DMG Media|accessdate=July 23, 2017|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428062804/http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/19/oxenfree-xbox-one-review-turn-the-radio-on-5631834/|archivedate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Objects that can be interacted with in the game world display a small circle next to them.<ref name="gamespot-review"/> Puzzles in the game are solved by finding the correct frequency on Alex's handheld radio, which can perform actions like unlocking doors or communicating with ghosts,<ref name="verge-review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/15/10760840/oxenfree-review-pc-xbox-one|title=Oxenfree is a spooky '80s teen movie turned into an adventure game|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=January 15, 2016|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=May 27, 2016|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422161125/http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/15/10760840/oxenfree-review-pc-xbox-one|archivedate=April 22, 2017}}</ref> or by winding up tape recorders at the correct speed.<ref name="gamespot-review"/> ''Oxenfree'' does not have any "[[game over]]" loss conditions; the player's choices and relationships with the characters determine which of several possible endings the player receives.<ref name="vice-ghostlytruth">{{cite web|author=Diver, Mike|date=January 18, 2016|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9bg7qv/discovering-the-truth-behind-the-haunted-happenings-of-oxenfree-322|title=Discovering the Ghostly Truth Behind the Haunted Happenings of ‘Oxenfree’|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|publisher=[[Vice Media]]|accessdate=July 22, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712162352/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9bg7qv/discovering-the-truth-behind-the-haunted-happenings-of-oxenfree-322|archivedate=July 12, 2017}}</ref> == Plot == Alex ([[Erin Yvette]]), a teenager, is on the last ferry heading to the fictional Edwards Island for a weekend party. She is accompanied by Ren (Aaron Kuban), her [[Cannabis culture|stoner]] friend, and Jonas (Gavin Hammon), her new stepbrother. On the island, Alex and company meet Clarissa (Avital Ash), Alex's late brother Michael's ex-girlfriend, and Nona (Brittani Johnson), Clarissa's best friend and Ren's love interest. Ren explains the island was once a military base and that the island's only permanent resident, Maggie Adler, has recently died. After camping on the beach, Alex, Ren, and Jonas explore the nearby caves, where it is rumored certain radio frequencies cause supernatural events. In a small cavern, Alex tunes her radio and unexpectedly forms a rift. A voice answers and the teens experience visions before passing out. Jonas and Alex awake in front of Harden Tower. Ren calls, having passed out in the woods, while Clarissa calls from the decommissioned military fort on the island. In the woods, Jonas and Alex encounter supernatural events, including Alex's reflection in the water communicating with her, objects moving on their own, and time looping repeatedly. Time corrects when Alex plays a [[Reel-to-reel audio tape recording|reel-to-reel tape]]. They spot Nona, who claims she saw an alternate Jonas and Alex. Alex and Jonas find Ren, but after another time loop, they find him [[Spirit possession|possessed]] by a "ghost". Using the radio, Alex creates another rift which returns Ren to normal. Ren and Nona return to the tower. At the military fort, Alex's reflection appears in a mirror, giving Alex advice. A ghost questions them and possesses Jonas, revealing that the ghosts are the passengers of the submarine USS ''Kanaloa'', thought lost at sea. Alex creates another rift that revives Jonas. They find Clarissa, but time loops to her jumping to her death before disappearing. Nona, Alex, Jonas, and Ren regroup at Harden Tower. Unable to send a radio transmission off the island, Ren suggests finding the key to Maggie Adler's estate, where she kept a boat. At Adler's estate, a possessed Clarissa talks with Ren; her conversations and scattered letters left behind by Maggie Adler reveal that Adler mistakenly interpreted scrambled messages from ''Kanaloa'' as an enemy transmission, and the submarine was sunk by friendly fire. The crew was not killed, however, but transported to another dimension due to the sub's experimental nuclear reactor. Adler and her friend Anna attempted to communicate with the ''Kanaloa'' crew via a radio, but Anna was absorbed through the dimensional rift. The ''Kanaloa'' crew intend on using Alex and her friends' bodies to escape the dimension, keeping them on the island long enough for their possession attempts to be successful. Alex and the group discover Maggie Adler's plan to fix the temporal tears—crossing to the other side of the rift and tuning the radio within. Alex repeatedly has visions of the past, including talking with Michael. A ghost possesses Jonas and attempts to bargain with Alex, offering to spare her and the rest of her friends if they leave Clarissa behind. Returning to the caves, Alex tunes into a rift that sends her into a void. Encountering the possessed Clarissa, the ghosts warn Alex she will die if the rift is closed, and Clarissa will be kept by the ghosts if Alex leaves through the rift. Alex can choose to leave, erasing Clarissa from existence; close the rift herself, trapping her with the ghosts; or, if she has found enough letters from Maggie Adler, Alex can appeal to the crew members directly, convincing them to let Clarissa and her go. The reflection of Alex seen throughout the game is revealed to be Alex from the future. She loops back to a conversation with Michael, who admits that he and Clarissa are planning to move away from town and asks Alex's advice. Time then corrects. Alex wakes up with the others on the ferry back home; Jonas informs her that whatever she did fix the rift and that everything is normal. Everyone reveals that, for a limited period, they revisited past memories. They then swear to not tell anyone about their experiences. Nona takes a final group picture. === Endings === In an epilogue, Alex reveals the fate of the characters, with Nona's picture of the group shown and the outcomes dependent on actions made during the game: * Clarissa's friendship with Alex and Michael can be either preserved or destroyed. Clarissa can also be sacrificed to the rift, with no one remembering Clarissa except Alex herself. If she is saved, she will either drop out of school or continue her studies. * Ren will either date or not date Nona depending on Alex's actions. * Nona goes to a ballet school, and may or may not be in a [[long-distance relationship]] with Ren. * Jonas's relationship with Alex can be either preserved or destroyed. * Michael can be revived if Alex encourages him not to move away in the time loop. If so, Jonas and Alex will cease to be step-siblings. The player's actions can either destroy or preserve Michael's relationship with Clarissa. Alex also describes her own plans; she may go to college, either in or out of her hometown or take time off. Thereafter, the screen flickers and Alex tells the player she is going to Edward's Island and is meeting Jonas for the first time, revealing that time is still looping. If the player starts another game with the same save file ([[New Game Plus|Game+]]), Alex has the chance to send herself a message from the island. After the epilogue, a new scene plays of Alex, Jonas, and Ren at a supermarket waiting to buy alcohol before getting on the ferry. Tuning her radio, Alex receives the message her future self sent from the island. Depending on the message sent and how the player responds, Alex, Jonas, and Ren can decide not to go to Edwards Island at all, preventing the loop. == Development == [[File:GDC 2016 awards 16-19 02 38-01-7D1 1044 (25225903063).jpg|thumb|right|Night School Studio members Adam Hines, Heather Gross, and Sean Krankel at the 2016 [[Independent Games Festival]]|alt=Three people, two women and a man, stand on an awards stage with a podium.]] Cousins Sean Krankel and Adam Hines founded [[Night School Studio]] in 2014,<ref name="techtimes-interview">{{cite web|author=Burks, Robin|date=January 20, 2016|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/126120/20160120/interview-oxenfree-developer-discusses-new-kind-of-video-game-storytelling.htm|title=Interview: 'Oxenfree' Developer Discusses New Kind Of Video Game Storytelling|work=Tech Times|publisher=Tech Times LLC|accessdate=December 30, 2016|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114928/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/126120/20160120/interview-oxenfree-developer-discusses-new-kind-of-video-game-storytelling.htm|archivedate=August 7, 2017}}</ref> having long wanted to collaborate on a video game together.<ref name="skybound_oxenfree_p1_0m0s"/> Hines had worked on [[Telltale Games]]'s story-focused games like ''[[Wolf Among Us]]'', while Krankel had previously met or worked with many Night School members at [[Disney]].<ref name="latices-preview">{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-the-player-oxenfree-20160104-story.html|title=Why 'Oxenfree' may just be the first must-play game of 2016|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=January 4, 2016|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=September 7, 2016|publisher=[[tronc]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223171306/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-the-player-oxenfree-20160104-story.html|archivedate=February 23, 2017}}</ref> Hines and Krankel were interested in creating a game that told its story in a unique way.<ref name="skybound_oxenfree_p1_0m0s">{{cite AV media|author=[[Skybound Entertainment]]|date=January 11, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzLM-1XN6_0|title=OXENFREE <nowiki>|</nowiki> Part 1: The Story|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=December 30, 2016|time=0'00"–1'50"|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302180541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzLM-1XN6_0|archivedate=March 2, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Krankel and Hines looked at other story-focused games, and felt that they either were linear stories driven by [[set piece]]s, or branching, player choice-influenced stories told through [[cut scene]]s. "We thought, why not let you move freely while communicating, interacting, and exploring a branching narrative?" Krankel recalled.<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF">{{cite web|author=Francis, Brian |date=February 4, 2016 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/264900/Road_to_the_IGF_Night_School_Studios_Oxenfree.php |title=Road to the IGF: Night School Studio's Oxenfree |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=UBM plc |accessdate=December 30, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205095514/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/264900/Road_to_the_IGF_Night_School_Studios_Oxenfree.php |archivedate=February 5, 2016 |dead-url=no |df= }}</ref> "The first thing we wanted to do is make a game where communication is really sort of a key mechanic, but that people have more freedom than they do with all the other narrative-focused games. At its core, we wanted to never have a cut scene in the game, where you could walk and move freely and communicate with your friends, and even communicate with other beings and other kind of strange things." Rather than developing the gameplay and attaching a story to it, Night School focused on developing gameplay that would support the story they wanted to tell.<ref name="techtimes-interview"/> Because Night School was a small team, Hines and Krankel had to figure out a scope for the game that would not be unmanageable. This meant making sure branching dialogue trees never became too sprawling.<ref name="gamasutra-conversation"/> In developing the story, Krankel and Hines first looked at influences and other media that inspired them.<ref name="gdc-talk">{{cite web|author=Krankel, Sean|year=2017|url=http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1024270/Building-Game-Mechanics-to-Elevate|title=Building Game Mechanics to Elevate Narrative in 'Oxenfree'|work=[[Game Developers Conference]]|publisher=UBM plc|accessdate=December 6, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207015254/http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1024270/Building-Game-Mechanics-to-Elevate|archivedate=December 7, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> They wanted the story to have scary and supernatural elements, without verging on horror. "We wanted to do something a little bit more [...] [[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg-ian]], and sort of give it a sense of wonder and have it, for awhile, just be actually interacting with these supernatural creatures where it's almost a little bit fun, and hopefully, gives you butterflies in your stomach before it gets pretty crazy," Krankel said. The developers were influenced by other coming-of-age stories like the film ''[[Stand by Me (film)|Stand By Me]]'' when developing the characters and story;<ref name="techtimes-interview"/> Krankel cited the character of [[List of Freaks and Geeks characters#Lindsay Weir|Lindsay Weir]] from the television series ''[[Freaks and Geeks]]'' as the biggest outside influence on the character of Alex.<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF"/> Night School set up a casting call for voice actors on [[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.backstage.com/casting/oxenfree-51308/|title='Oxenfree' Casting Call|last=|first=|date=|work=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]|publisher=Backstage, LLC|access-date=September 7, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914002010/https://www.backstage.com/casting/oxenfree-51308/|archivedate=September 14, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The team produced placeholder subtitles in the game prior to actors being cast and lines recorded. Lead engineer Bryant Cannon recalled that without the voices, he was unsure whether the game would be fun to play; after the voices were added, he could see the characters as believable people having conversations. Hines directed recording sessions, allowing him to change dialogue on-the-fly if he felt material did not work when voiced by the actors. All of the actors voiced their lines separately, with their conversations in-game stitched together in post-production.<ref name="skybound-makingof-voices">{{cite web|author=Skybound|date=May 26, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttfdFraWspA|title=Oxenfree {{!}} Part 4: Characters and Voices|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Google|accessdate=July 22, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404175109/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttfdFraWspA|archivedate=April 4, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''Oxenfree'' was developed primarily using the [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] game engine, [[Adobe Photoshop]], and [[Autodesk Maya]].<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF"/> The game's artwork was made by Heather Gross. The team's need to show multiple characters, dialogue bubbles, and places to explore in the environment on the screen simultaneously directly influenced the game's camera distance from the player characters and two-dimensional look.<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF"/><ref name="gamasutra-conversation">{{cite web|author=Francis, Brian|date=December 17, 2015|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/261966/How_Oxenfrees_narrative_unfolds_like_a_freeflowing_conversation.php|title=How Oxenfree's narrative unfolds like a free-flowing conversation|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=UBM plc |accessdate=December 6, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101044501/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/261966/How_Oxenfrees_narrative_unfolds_like_a_freeflowing_conversation.php |archivedate=November 1, 2017 |dead-url=no}}</ref> Working with these requirements, Gross created [[Parallax scrolling|parallaxing]], painterly backgrounds. The dark, organic elements of the setting were designed in contrast to the supernatural elements, which are bright and geometric.<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF"/> The unique animation, art, and effects required for the game's major plot developments ended up taking more time than Hines and Krankel expected, but found that it helped organize their story better in the process.<ref name="gamasutra-conversation"/> === Audio === Initially, Night School Studio did not know exactly what they wanted the music of ''Oxenfree'' to sound like. American film, TV, and game music composer and sound designer Andrew Rohrmann, known under his alias [[scntfc]], composed the music and sound design of the game; Krankel knew Rohrmann through a friend of a friend and had not known of his game music pedigree. Hines mentioned that they gave Rohrmann "random" suggestions for the sound, including "[[John Carpenter]] meets [[Boards of Canada]]", but were impressed with the music they got in response.<ref name="skybound-makingof-music">{{cite web|author=Skybound|date=May 26, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2VKriJeGzk|title=Oxenfree {{!}} Part 5: The Music|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Google|accessdate=July 22, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124170624/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2VKriJeGzk|archivedate=November 24, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Krankel said the goal was for the music to feel simultaneously analog and digital, "so that it's nostalgic without being set in a specific time in the past."<ref name="gamasutra-roadtotheIGF"/> Rohrmann combined digital recording techniques and plugins with analog ones, running some sounds through old cassette decks and [[Reel-to-reel audio tape recording|reel-to-reel tape]]. The shortwave radio Alex uses in the game was created by recording sounds through a [[World War II]]-era radio set. Much of the music was not scored to specific scenes, but for certain moods; Rohrmann estimated 90% of the songs in the completed game were identical to his original demo recordings.<ref name="skybound-makingof-music"/> The soundtrack was released on January 15, 2016 to accompany the game, with a [[Gramophone record|vinyl]] release on May 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.iam8bit.com/products/oxenfree-2xlp|title=OXENFREE Vinyl Soundtrack 2xLP|work=[[iam8bit]]|accessdate=September 7, 2016|dead-url=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802025337/https://store.iam8bit.com/products/oxenfree-2xlp|archivedate=August 2, 2016}}</ref> {{clear}} == Promotion and release == Night School posted a [[Teaser campaign|teaser]] for the game on March 1, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGwz4ovskx4|title=OXENFREE Official Teaser #1|last=|first=|date=March 1, 2015|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Google|access-date=September 7, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827024645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGwz4ovskx4|archivedate=August 27, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The game was announced four days later at [[Game Developers Conference]] 2015.<ref>{{cite web|author=Barrett, John|date=March 5, 2015|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/03/05/ex-telltale-thriller-oxenfree-announced/|title=Ex-Telltale Thriller OXENFREE Announced|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|publisher=Gamer Network|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716164122/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/03/05/ex-telltale-thriller-oxenfree-announced/|archivedate=July 16, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref> The game's January 2016 release announcement in October 2015 coincided with a second teaser from the game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sirani |first=Jordan |date=October 24, 2015|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/24/oxenfree-release-window-revealed |title=Oxenfree Release Window Revealed |work=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=January 16, 2016|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826194219/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/24/oxenfree-release-window-revealed|archivedate=August 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqJ20Qdsmog|title=OXENFREE Official Teaser #2|last=|first=|date=October 23, 2015|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Google|access-date=September 7, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223052013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqJ20Qdsmog|archivedate=February 23, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After release, [[Skybound Entertainment]] approached Night School to help develop additional media for the game.<ref name=":0" /> In January 2016, Skybound released multiple episodes as part of their Creator Series about the creation of ''Oxenfree'', detailing the story, art, mechanics, and voice acting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.skybound.com/oxenfree-is-out-this-friday-our-newest-partnership/|title=[UPDATE] OXENFREE is Out NOW! Our Newest Partnership! {{!}} Skybound|work=Skybound Entertainment|access-date=May 27, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516131659/http://www.skybound.com/oxenfree-is-out-this-friday-our-newest-partnership/|archivedate=May 16, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Writer [[Robert Kirkman]] is planning to help adapt ''Oxenfree'' into a film and a web-series via Skybound.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pinchefsky |first=Carol |date=January 12, 2016 |url=http://www.blastr.com/2016-1-12/robert-kirkmans-studio-turn-indie-game-oxenfree-movie |title=Robert Kirkman's studio to turn indie game Oxenfree into a movie |work=[[Blastr]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116194924/http://www.blastr.com/2016-1-12/robert-kirkmans-studio-turn-indie-game-oxenfree-movie |archivedate=January 16, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Grubb|first1=Jeff|date=January 11, 2016|title=‘The Walking Dead’ publisher to adapt emotional Oxenfree game for film and other projects|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/11/the-walking-dead-publisher-brings-emotional-oxenfree-game-to-other-mediums/|work=[[VentureBeat]]|accessdate=30 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727215015/https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/11/the-walking-dead-publisher-brings-emotional-oxenfree-game-to-other-mediums/|archivedate=July 27, 2017}}</ref> Night School partnered with [[iam8bit]] to create a collector's edition of the game, which featured items like a cassette tape demo of Ren's band in the game, a map of the island, poster, and code for the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin, Michael|date=January 14, 2016|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/15/oxenfree-collectors-edition-revealed|title=Oxenfree Collector's Edition Revealed|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109064923/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/15/oxenfree-collectors-edition-revealed|archivedate=January 9, 2017}}</ref> The [[PlayStation 4]] (PS4) version of the game was announced on April 27 and released May 31. The PS4 version of the game added the New Game+ mode as well as platform-specific tweaks, like using the [[DualShock 4]] controller to adjust the game's radio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/04/27/oxenfree-possesses-ps4-on-may-31-with-a-host-of-new-features/|title=Oxenfree Possesses PS4 on May 31 with a Host of New Features|last=Krankel|first=Sean|date=April 27, 2016|work=Official PlayStation Blog|publisher=[[Sony]]|access-date=September 7, 2016|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901073507/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/04/27/oxenfree-possesses-ps4-on-may-31-with-a-host-of-new-features/|archivedate=September 1, 2017}}</ref> An iOS version of the game was released on the [[Apple App Store]] on March 16, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|author=Macy, Seth|date=March 16, 2017|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/16/oxenfree-now-available-on-ios|title=Oxenfree now available on iOS|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|accessdate=August 31, 2017|dead-url=no|archivedate=May 2, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502134743/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/16/oxenfree-now-available-on-ios}}</ref> The game itself also has an [[Alternate reality game]] (ARG) counterpart. Within the game are radio frequencies that provide hints to a real phone number. This phone number led players to the Twitter account @xray9169363733. The account posted various cryptic, coded messages, all of which seemed to point to a real world location. On May 7, 2016, [[Youtuber]] Jesse Cox posted a video similar to the PS4 ''Oxenfree'' trailer, but with several letters highlighted in red. This led players to www.edwardsisland.com. Several messages were found, but most important was "MILNER IS WARD", confirming that a special object would be hidden at Fort Ward, WA.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Sjöberg, Richard|date=May 10, 2016|url=http://telkomgaming.co.za/there-is-something-special-going-on-with-oxenfree/|title=There is Something Special Going on with Oxenfree {{!}} Telkom Gaming|work=Telkom Gaming|publisher=[[Telkom (South Africa)|Telkom]]|access-date=May 25, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610075643/http://telkomgaming.co.za/there-is-something-special-going-on-with-oxenfree/|archivedate=June 10, 2016|deadurl=yes}}</ref> On June 11, 2016, fans playing the ARG discovered the object was a box with letters by Alex from all the possible timelines from the game, and a manually operated tape player with two paper music tapes of songs from the game soundtrack.<ref name="killscreen-arg">{{cite web|author=Hester, Blake|date=September 6, 2016|url=https://killscreen.com/articles/oxenfree-alternate-reality-game-probably-didnt-know|title=The Oxenfree Alternate Reality Game You Probably Didn't Know About|work=[[Kill Screen]]|publisher=Kill Screen Media|accessdate=July 7, 2017|dead-url=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730025646/https://killscreen.com/articles/oxenfree-alternate-reality-game-probably-didnt-know/|archivedate=July 30, 2017}}</ref> == Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = (PC) 80/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/oxenfree |title=Oxenfree for PC Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116091725/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/oxenfree |archivedate=January 16, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br>(PS4) 79/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/oxenfree |title=Oxenfree for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604153850/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/oxenfree |archivedate=June 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br>(XONE) 78/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/oxenfree |title=Oxenfree for Xbox One Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118075654/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/oxenfree |archivedate=January 18, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | Destruct = 9/10<ref name="destructoid-review">{{cite web |last=Rowen |first=Nic |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-oxenfree-334593.phtml |title=Review: Oxenfree |work=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421152657/https://www.destructoid.com/review-oxenfree-334593.phtml |archivedate=April 21, 2017}}</ref> | EGM = 7.5/10<ref name="ego-review">{{cite web |last=Buchholtz |first=Matt |date=January 15, 2016 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/oxenfree-review/ |title=Oxenfree review |work=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607094921/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/oxenfree-review/ |archivedate=June 7, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | GI = 7.75/10<ref name="gameinformer-review">{{cite web |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=January 15, 2016 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/oxenfree/b/pc/archive/2016/01/15/oxenfree-review-game-informer.aspx |title=Making Allies To Confront The Supernatural – Oxenfree – PC |work=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=GameStop |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129221232/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/oxenfree/b/pc/archive/2016/01/15/oxenfree-review-game-informer.aspx/ |archivedate=November 29, 2016}}</ref> | GameRev = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Paras |first=Peter |date=January 20, 2016 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/oxenfree/ |title=Oxenfree Review |work=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |accessdate=January 20, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909154327/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/oxenfree |archivedate=September 9, 2016}}</ref> | GSpot = 8/10<ref name="gamespot-review">{{cite web |last=Corriea |first=Alexa Ray |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/oxenfree-review/1900-6416329/ |title=Oxenfree Review |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322234817/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/oxenfree-review/1900-6416329/ |archivedate=March 22, 2016}}</ref> | IGN = 8.2/10<ref name="ign-review">{{cite web |last=Plaage |first=Kallie |date=January 15, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/15/oxenfree-review |title=Oxenfree Review |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807120527/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/15/oxenfree-review |archivedate=August 7, 2017}}</ref> | OXMUK = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Tom |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/oxenfree-review/ |title=Oxenfree review |work=[[Official Xbox Magazine UK]] |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314025809/http://www.gamesradar.com/oxenfree-review/ |archivedate=March 14, 2017}}</ref> | PCGUS = 83/100<ref name="PCGUS">{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Andy |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/oxenfree-review/ |title=Oxenfree review |work=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |accessdate=January 15, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124235553/http://www.pcgamer.com/oxenfree-review/ |archivedate=November 24, 2016}}</ref> | Poly = 7/10<ref name="polygon-review">{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/1/15/10774358/oxenfree-review-xbox-one-pc |title=Oxenfree review |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221093522/http://www.polygon.com/2016/1/15/10774358/oxenfree-review-xbox-one-pc |archivedate=December 21, 2016}}</ref> | VG = 8/10<ref name="videogamer-review">{{cite web |last=Orry |first=Tom |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/oxenfree-review |title=Oxenfree Review |work=VideoGamer.com |publisher=IBIBI HB |accessdate=January 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213201313/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/oxenfree_review.html |archivedate=February 13, 2016}}</ref> }} ''Oxenfree'' received positive reviews from critics, with each version of the game receiving "generally favorable" reviews according to [[Metacritic]]. ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''{{'}}s Chris Kohler wrote that "''Oxenfree'' shows some smart thinking about the relationship between games and players," and that as Night School's first game, it was an "auspicious debut."<ref name="wired-review">{{cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=January 15, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/01/oxenfree-review/ |title=OXENFREE Takes 4 Hours to Play, But it's Full of Brilliance |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |accessdate=December 30, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015637/https://www.wired.com/2016/01/oxenfree-review/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Nic Rowen praised the game for taking inspiration from old movies but still being "anything but generic"; "It dials into its own style and mood, tapping into something very heartfelt and special. It might just be the best 'horror' game I've played in years," he wrote.<ref name="destructoid-review"/> A less enthusiastic review was offered by Allegra Frank for ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', who wrote that despite offering many promising attributes, "I finished ''Oxenfree'' with my mouth agape, feeling wholly unsatisfied."<ref name="polygon-review"/> The game's audiovisual presentation was commonly considered a strength of the game. Rowen called the game's watercolor art style "gorgeous".<ref name="destructoid-review"/> Matt Buchholtz of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' favorably contrasted ''Oxenfree''{{'}}s traditional media style with the much more common [[Retro style|retro]] pixel styling of indie games. Rowen, Buchholtz, and others also noted that the contrast between the watercolor look of the environment and the sharp, digital effects of the paranormal. "The studio’s choice to completely split the art styles between the normal world and the mystical is a massive success." said Buchholtz.<ref name="ego-review"/> Frank credited ''Oxenfree'' with not relying on "lazy, clichéd 'young person' speech";<ref name="polygon-review"/> reviewers also felt that the naturalistic dialogue of ''Oxenfree'' was a strength, though [[IGN]]'s Kallie Plagge felt that characters such as Ren had grating or stilted dialogue.<ref name="ign-review" /> ''[[GamesTM]]'' and ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s William Hughes credited the game with delivering organic dialogue options that lacked any clear good or bad associations.<ref name="avclub-review">{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=William |date=January 19, 2016 |url=https://games.avclub.com/oxenfree-tells-a-great-horror-story-by-taking-its-teena-1798186455 |title=Oxenfree tells a great horror story by taking its teenage heroes seriously |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[The Onion]] |accessdate=July 24, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117192905/http://www.avclub.com/review/oxenfree-tells-great-horror-story-taking-its-teena-230764 |archivedate=January 17, 2017}}</ref> Reviewers such as VideoGamer.com's Tom Orry felt the script sometimes failed to convey realistic panic or distress of the characters in their exceptional circumstances.<ref name="gamestm-review">{{cite web |author=Staff |year=2017 |url=https://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/oxenfree-review/ |title=Oxenfree review |work=[[GamesTM]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |accessdate=July 22, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101091445/https://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/oxenfree-review/ |archivedate=January 1, 2017}}</ref><ref name="videogamer-review"/> Plagge noted that despite her efforts, some dialogue choices unavoidably hurt relationships in the game. "It’s an important reminder that you can’t “win” social situations, and that kept Oxenfree’s supernatural plot points grounded in reality," she wrote.<ref name="ign-review" /> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Kimberley Wallace felt that the opaque results of choices was sometimes a hindrance; "something feels fundamentally wrong when players think they're influencing events in one direction, and the exact opposite happens instead," she wrote.<ref name="gameinformer-review" /> In contrast, Corriea appreciated that some consequences of dialogue choices did not become clear until much later in the game, encouraging repeat playthroughs to try different approaches.<ref name="gamespot-review"/> === Accolades === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Result ! class="unsortable"| Ref |- | rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| 2016 | [[Independent Games Festival]] Awards 2016 | Excellence in Visual Art | {{won}} | <ref>{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathan |date=March 17, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/17/igf-awards-2016-winners-her-story-oxenfree-cibele |title=IGF Awards 2016 winners include Her Story, Oxenfree, Cibele |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |accessdate=May 25, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119014913/http://ew.com/article/2016/03/17/igf-awards-2016-winners-her-story-oxenfree-cibele/| archivedate=January 19, 2017}}</ref> |- | [[Unity Technologies|Unity Awards 2016]] | Best 2D Visual Experience | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=October 7, 2016 |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/282930/Firewatch_Inside_and_Virginia_among_2016_Unity_Award_noms.php |title=Firewatch, Inside, and Virginia among 2016 Unity Award noms |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[UBM plc]] |accessdate=October 8, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010061954/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/282930/Firewatch_Inside_and_Virginia_among_2016_Unity_Award_noms.php |archivedate=October 10, 2016}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| [[Golden Joystick Awards|Golden Joystick Awards 2016]] | Best Storytelling | {{nom}} | rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=September 15, 2016 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/golden-joystick-awards/news/a807943/golden-joystick-awards-2016-voting-now-open-to-the-public/ |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2016 voting now open to the public |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |accessdate=October 29, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228140939/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/golden-joystick-awards/news/a807943/golden-joystick-awards-2016-voting-now-open-to-the-public/ |archivedate=February 28, 2017}}</ref> |- | Best Indie Game | {{nom}} |- | [[The Game Awards 2016]] | Best Narrative | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=November 16, 2016 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-the-2016-game-awards-nominees/1100-6445481/ |title=All the 2016 Game Awards Nominees |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=November 16, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226185427/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-the-2016-game-awards-nominees/1100-6445481/ |archivedate=February 26, 2017}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| 2017 | [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]] | Outstanding Achievement in Story | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/images/awards/20th-Annual-DICE-Finalists.pdf |title=20th Annual DICE Finalists |work=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |accessdate=February 20, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215035634/http://www.interactive.org/images/awards/20th-Annual-DICE-Finalists.pdf |archivedate=February 15, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- | [[SXSW Gaming Awards]] | Excellence in Narrative | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/awards/nominees-and-winners/ |title=2017 Gaming Awards Nominees |work=[[South by Southwest|SXSW]] |accessdate=February 20, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404175109/https://gaming.sxsw.com/awards/nominees-and-winners/ |archivedate=April 4, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| [[13th British Academy Games Awards]] | Debut Game | {{nom}} | rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2017/games |title=Games in 2017 |work=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=February 20, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921192814/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2017/games |archivedate=September 21, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- | Narrative | {{nom}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2018 | [[National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] Awards | Writing in a Comedy <small>(iOS/Android/Switch)</small> | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/ |title=Nominee List for 2017 |work=[[National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] |date=February 9, 2018 |accessdate=February 20, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180215172210/http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/ |archivedate=February 15, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/ |title=Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY |work=[[National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] |date=March 13, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180314070824/http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/ |archivedate=March 14, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |} == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == External links == *{{Official website|nightschoolstudio.com/oxenfree/}} [[Category:2016 video games]] [[Category:Adventure games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games with alternate endings]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Unity (game engine) games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:Video games set in Washington (state)]]'